Police Officer Preparation & Law Enforcement Resource - Archive

Good afternoon everyone. I'll start by saying thanks for any and all replies this post may receive.

I'll be interviewing in Scottsdale, AZ this weekend and hoping to make it as far as the Oral Board. I've done a ton of research on most aspects I can think of but one area I'm falling short on is finding information on Arizona's or Scottsdale's use of force policies.

I'd like to read up on this to be familiar enough not to give a stupid answer during the Oral Board and I just can't seem to find anywhere online that has any of this info.

If anyone has any knowledge, links, etc that they don't mind sharing, I'd be very appreciative.

Again, thanks in advance for any and all help.

Agencies will "usually" take into consideration a candidate's prior training and experience (or lack of) during interviews and oral boards. Even if you knew the use of force policies verbatim, not having an intimate working knowledge of them could still result in you giving a "stupid" (ignorant) answer.

That being said, objectively reasonable force is "normally" used by LEOs to effect arrests, prevent escapes, and/or overcome resistance. We use force to stop a threat or gain control of a person or situation. Our legal standing to use force is based upon such things as federal law, state law, case law, and department policy.

They are absolutely not going to ask you any questions which will require knowledge of their policies or procedures.

The oral board questions are set to determine your ability to think on your feet and your verbal communication ability. Other matters such as ethics and problem solving may come into play as well.

But it would be unreasonable to expect non hired candidates to know specific policies or procedures of a department, and if you have not been a police officer or attended an academy previously, they will not expect you to know basic police procedures either.

Take a deep breath, relax, and don't overthink it. You'll be fine.

Good Luck!

-Citicop.